Mexico's heritage feted at Cinco de Mayo Festival

VICTORVILLE- It was a day of food and entertainment echoing a culture deeply embedded in the hearts of many.

But for the Garza family, the day offered an opportunity to teach their children of third generation Mexican-Americans about their rich heritage.

"We don't go to Mexico City because we don't feel safe. So this is a way we can introduce our culture of dance and music to the kids," said Neto Garza, a father of four.

The Cinco de Mayo Festival at the Victor Valley College on Saturday wasn't a celebration for only Hispanics. Diversity could be easily found throughout the events.

Larry Townsend of Apple Valley and his wife are German. They both moved to the U.S. in 1979 not knowing what a jalapeno, burrito or mariachi was.

"We know now, but then we were completely ignorant," Townsend said. "When we heard about this, we had to come."
They brought their grandson Eric to the event for the music and sense of community.

"We just moved here from Michigan. We have Polkafests. This is something very different," Townsend said. "It's really something."

Two stages were home to several performers throughout the day. Musicians playing songs native to Mexico, Folklorico dancers in brilliantly colored costumes and local students all took their turns entertaining the crowds throughout the day.

"It's a nice way to spend the day. And the weather was perfect. We should do this once a month," Garza joked.

Gretchen Losi may be reached at 951-6233 or gretchen_losi@link.freedom.com.

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